Untreated Hearing Loss And The Increased Risk Of Dementia

In recent news, there has been a great deal of effort to establish the relationship be-
tween hearing loss and cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s and dementia. For decades, researchers and specialists have shed light on these comorbidities. One of the pioneers of these types of case studies is

Dr. Frank Lin. Frank R. Lin, MD, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

One of Dr. Lin’s articles, states the following on the correlation between hearing loss and cognitive impairment:

“Current projections estimate that the prevalence of dementia will continue to double every 20 years, such that 1 in every 30 Americans will have prevalent dementia by 2050. At the present time, there is not one single established intervention or pharmacologic therapy that could potentially even help delay the onset of dementia.

Hearing loss is highly prevalent in older adults with nearly two-thirds of older adults 70 years and older having clinically significant hearing loss, but with less than 15% receiving any form of rehabilitative treatment.”

Further studies from Dr. Lin and his peers have purported that a significant decrease in hearing causes strain on the area of the brain that processes communication. Individuals that struggle with hearing are less social, and therefore their cognitive decline is affected by less interaction and less mental processing. It is also thought that other senses effected like smell and vision loss will exacerbate cognitive issues due to a cause of degeneration in these areas of the brain.

Dr. Doraiswamy is also a highly-regarded researcher on this subject. P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., a professor of psychiatry and medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and coauthor of The Alzheimer’s Action Plan, states that “The improvement in cognition was huge, about double that seen with any of the current FDA drugs for treating Alzheimer’s.” He continued, “Studies have shown that uncorrected vision problems raise the risk for dementia. Every doctor knows that hearing loss can result in cognitive problems, but they still don’t focus on it as a priority when they evaluate someone with suspected dementia, which is a big missed opportunity. The benefits of correcting hearing loss on cognition are twice as large as the benefits from any cognitive-enhancing drugs now on the market. It should be the first thing we focus on.”

Schedule a Hearing Test
If you are experiencing hearing loss, it’s important to seek a qualified Hearing Aid specialist, because they are trained to get you the best outcome and resolution for your specific issue. If you’ve noticed that it’s difficult to hear conversations in a noisy atmosphere, or you feel the need to adjust your television volume much higher than before, it’s vital for you to have your hearing checked.

Perhaps you or your loved one keeps asking for people to repeat themselves, or you can’t quite pick up where sounds are coming from; if this is the case, don’t wait until your hearing loss gets any worse, schedule your appointment as soon as you possibly can.

At DELTA HEARING, their team of experienced, Hearing Aid Specialists and caring staff are unwavering in their commitment to helping Southwest Florida patients of all ages hear the world around them clearly and with self-confidence. Delta hearing offers a compre-
hensive array of innovative hearing products, and services tailored to meet each patient’s unique hearing needs, lifestyle and budget.

Whether you’re in Sarasota or Port Charlotte, FL, Delta Hearing is here for you. Their two offices are welcoming and friendly, and they also have a mobile office that pays house calls if you’d rather have a visit in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

To get your hearing checked and finally get back to living a life full of conversation and livelihood, please schedule an appointment at one of their two convenient locations. Call them at today.